13,000 affected by state pension change
MP slams decision
Thousands of people in Rutherglen and Cambuslang could be affected by an early rise in the state pension age for the UK.
New analysis by the House of Commons library show sover 13,000 residents in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency are likely to be affected.
The UK Government revealed last month that a rise in the pension age to 68 would be phased in between 2037 and 2039, seven years earlier than planned.
The change will affect all men and women currently between the age of 39 and 47.
Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Gerard Killen called the decision a “disgraceful and unjustified attack on the state pension” by the Conservative government.
He added: “The latest research on life expectancy, published days ago, shows that there is no evidential basis for bringing the state pension age further forward.
“That’s why Labour wants to take a measured approach, leaving the state pension age at 66 while we review the evidence emerging around life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, considering how we can best protect those doing demanding jobs and the contributions they have already made.”
However, a spokeswoman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: “These changes will ensure that the state pension is both fair and sustainable for future generations and in line with continuing rises in life expectancy.
“Those affected will on average still receive the state pension for longer than the generations before them.”